§ 13-1-7. Administrative fines, costs of repair, liens and foreclosure.

(a)

The special master, upon notification by the code inspector that an order of the special master has not been complied with by the time set or, upon finding that a repeat violation has been committed, may order the violator to pay a fine for each day the violation continues past the date set by the special master for compliance or, in the case of a repeat violation, for each day the repeat violation continues, beginning with the date the repeat violation is found to have occurred by the code inspector. In addition, if the violation is a violation described in subsection 13-1-5(4), the code enforcement authority, as the entity that notifies the mayor and city council so reasonable repairs may be made, shall notify the governing body, and may make all reasonable repairs which are required to bring the property into compliance and charge the violator with the reasonable cost of the repairs along with the fine imposed pursuant to this section. Making such repairs does not create a continuing obligation on the part of the governing body to make further repairs or to maintain the property and does not create any liability against the governing body for any damages to the property if such repairs were completed in good faith.

(b)

A fine imposed pursuant to this section shall not exceed two hundred fifty ($250.00) dollars per day for a first violation and shall not exceed five hundred ($500.00) dollars per day for a repeat violation, and in addition, may include all costs of repairs pursuant to this section. However if the special master finds the violation to be irreparable or irreversible in nature, it may impose a fine not to exceed five thousand ($5,000.00) dollars per violation. If a finding of a violation or a repeat violation has been made as provided in this section, a hearing shall not be necessary for issuance of the order imposing the fine. If, after due notice and hearing, the special master finds a violation to be irreparable or irreversible in nature, it may order the violator to pay a fine as specified in this section.

(c)

In determining the amount of any fine, the special master shall consider the following factors:

i.

The gravity of the violation;

ii.

The actions taken by the violator to correct the violation; and

iii.

Any previous violations committed by the violator.

(d)

The special master may reduce a fine imposed pursuant to this section, prior to the recording of a lien.

(e)

A certified copy of an order imposing a fine, or a fine plus repair costs may be recorded in the public records of Escambia County and thereafter shall constitute a lien against the land on which the violation exists and upon any other real or personal property owned by the violator. Upon petition to the circuit court, such order shall be enforceable in the same manner as a court judgment by the sheriffs of this state, including execution and levy against the personal property of the violator, but such order shall not be deemed to be a court judgment except for enforcement purposes. A fine imposed pursuant to this section shall continue to accrue until the violator comes into compliance or until judgment is rendered in a suit filed pursuant to this section.

(f)

After three (3) months from the filing of any such lien which remains unpaid, the code enforcement authority may request the city attorney's office to foreclose on the lien or to sue to recover a money judgment for the amount of the lien plus accrued interest.

(g)

Actions for money judgments under this chapter, filed pursuant to F.S. Ch. 162 may be pursued only on fines levied after October 1, 2000.

(Ord. No. 17-11, § 7, 9-8-11)